Stephens, Tigers roar with upset over USC
LOS ANGELES » Myles Stephens was once described by an Ivy League head coach as the conference’s silent assassin.
It’s not just the Ivy League he’s tormenting.
Stephens went for a career-high 30 points and Princeton shocked Southern California, 103-93 in overtime, on Tuesday night at the Galen Center.
“It’s a very happy locker room,” coach Mitch Henderson said.
The Tigers (5-6) have won three in a row and are 2-0 on this fivegame west coast road trip which continues on Friday against Middle Tennessee State in the Diamond Head Classic.
Princeton beat a Pac-12 opponent for the first times since its famous 43-41 NCAA Tournament upset over UCLA in 1996.
Stephens scored 26 of his 30 points in the second half and overtime. The Lawrenceville native shot 10-for-16 from the floor and was a perfect 8-of-8 from the foul line.
Devin Cannady finished with 23 points and Sebastian Much had his best game in orange and black by hitting five 3s and ending up with a career-best 19 points.
Amir Bell added 18 to round out the Princeton players in double figures.
After Jordan Usher made a 3-pointer to give the Trojans a 9190 lead in overtime Stephens and Bell combined for the game’s next nine points to put the Tigers in front for good.
Stephens converted a threepoint play to make it 95-91 with 2:31 remaining before delivering the dagger on short jumper in the paint with 1:52 to play.
Princeton held a seven-point lead with 1:01 remaining in regulation before USC charged back to force the extra period on Jordan McLaughlin’s layup with eight seconds remaining. The Trojans got that chance to tie after they forced a turnover in the backcourt.
“I’m just so proud of them to have made some small adjustments and not get too down in overtime,” Henderson said. “It was a really good all-around team effort.”
Cimezie Metu netted 25 points and McLaughlin had 24 for USC (6-4), which was playing without three potential starters.
These two teams could meet for a second time in a week if they both win their opening games at the Diamond Head Classic in Hawaii.
The Associated Press contributed to this report